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Highland News, CA
Jan 4 2014
Editorial: Sisterhood
Published: Thursday, January 2, 2014 4:03 PM PST
We are strong supporters of the Highland City Council and most of its
decisions. It has kept Highland moving forward in a difficult time and
is a role model for a good way to run a city.
However, in our opinion, it sometimes oversteps its bounds.
Such was the case in its approval of a sister city agreement with
Berdzor in Nargano Karabakh, a disputed territory between Armenia and
Azerbaijan.
The Christian/Muslim controversy has been going on for decades with
the Christian Armenia supporting the disputed independence of the
republic, and Azerbaijan claiming the region is a part of Azerbaijan.
Armenian forces have gone in to support independence, resulting in the
expulsion of the Muslim Azer population with over half a million in
refugee camps.
On the other hand, over a quarter million Christian Armenians remain
in refugee camps as a result of Azerbaijani rule.
Former Mayor and world traveler Larry McCallon brought the resolution
to the City Council, and it passed with little discussion. Most of us
had never heard of Nagorno Karabakh or its territorial battles.
However, the Azerbaijan Consul objected to the sisterhood resolution,
claiming it supported an illegitimate government, and asked for a
reconsideration of the decision.
City Councilwoman Jody Scott moved to rescind the resolution, seconded
by Councilwoman Penny Lilburn.
However, then Mayor McCallon observed that the action was already
taken and needed no further consideration.
City Councilmen John Timmer and Sam Racadio agreed and the resolution stands.
We believe recognition of nations should be the purview of the federal
government, not local city councils.
With the city's crime, poverty, unemployment and lack of commercial
retail, we believe the city council has more important things to worry
about than recognition of a disputed government in the Southern
Caucasus.
http://www.highlandnews.net/articles/2014/01/03/opinion/editorials/doc52c5f71301114775372664.txt
Jan 4 2014
Editorial: Sisterhood
Published: Thursday, January 2, 2014 4:03 PM PST
We are strong supporters of the Highland City Council and most of its
decisions. It has kept Highland moving forward in a difficult time and
is a role model for a good way to run a city.
However, in our opinion, it sometimes oversteps its bounds.
Such was the case in its approval of a sister city agreement with
Berdzor in Nargano Karabakh, a disputed territory between Armenia and
Azerbaijan.
The Christian/Muslim controversy has been going on for decades with
the Christian Armenia supporting the disputed independence of the
republic, and Azerbaijan claiming the region is a part of Azerbaijan.
Armenian forces have gone in to support independence, resulting in the
expulsion of the Muslim Azer population with over half a million in
refugee camps.
On the other hand, over a quarter million Christian Armenians remain
in refugee camps as a result of Azerbaijani rule.
Former Mayor and world traveler Larry McCallon brought the resolution
to the City Council, and it passed with little discussion. Most of us
had never heard of Nagorno Karabakh or its territorial battles.
However, the Azerbaijan Consul objected to the sisterhood resolution,
claiming it supported an illegitimate government, and asked for a
reconsideration of the decision.
City Councilwoman Jody Scott moved to rescind the resolution, seconded
by Councilwoman Penny Lilburn.
However, then Mayor McCallon observed that the action was already
taken and needed no further consideration.
City Councilmen John Timmer and Sam Racadio agreed and the resolution stands.
We believe recognition of nations should be the purview of the federal
government, not local city councils.
With the city's crime, poverty, unemployment and lack of commercial
retail, we believe the city council has more important things to worry
about than recognition of a disputed government in the Southern
Caucasus.
http://www.highlandnews.net/articles/2014/01/03/opinion/editorials/doc52c5f71301114775372664.txt